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Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

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GOD-FEARER

One who fears God. This can be a term of reverence, an emotional reaction of terror, or a dread of God’s vengeance.

Phrases describing the God-fearer in the OT are frequently coupled with such terms as “stood in awe” and “held in awe” (1 Chr 16:25; Ps 22:23). Reverence for the Lord is used less frequently, but it is used with this meaning when Obadiah hid the prophets in a cave to save them from being assassinated by Jezebel (1 Kgs 18:3-4, 12 OET KI1 18:3–4 · OET KI1 18:12). A man could expect to receive justice from a God-fearing ruler (2 Sm 23:3; 2 Chr 19:7), and long life was a reward for those who feared the Lord (Prv 10:27; 14:27; 19:23). A God-fearing family would rely on the Lord for practical help in time of trouble (2 Kgs 4:1; Prv 14:26). The fear of the Lord was effective in driving away sin and was itself the beginning of wisdom (Wisd of Sol 10:13).

Show passage in OET: CH1 16:25

OET-RV CH1 16:25

25 because Yahweh is great and deserves a lot of praise,
 ⇔ ≈ and he should be revered more than any other god.

OET-LV CH1 16:25

25 If/because is_great YHWH and_is_to_be_praised exceedingly and_is_ he _to_be_feared above all_of gods.
Show passage in OET: PSA 22:23

OET-RV PSA 22:23

23 ≈ You all who fear Yahweh, praise him.
 ⇔ ≈ All you descendants of Ya’akov (Jacob), honour him.
 ⇔ ≈ Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Yisrael (Israel),

OET-LV PSA 22:24

24  Oh_those_fearing_of (of)_YHWH praise_him Oh_all_of the_offspring_of Yaˊₐqoⱱ/(Jacob) honour_him and_be_afraid from_him/it Oh_all_of the_offspring_of Yisrāʼēl/(Israel).
Show passage in OET: KI1 18:3–4; KI1 18:12

OET-RV KI1 18:3

3 and King Ahav had summoned his palace manager Ovadyah (Obadiah). (Ovadyah was a sincere follower of Yahweh.

OET-RV KI1 18:4

4 When Queen Izevel (Jezebel) had tried to kill Yahweh’s prophets, Ovadyah had hidden a hundred prophets—fifty in each of two caves and kept them supplied with food and water.)

OET-RV KI1 18:12

12 but as soon as I leave you, Yahweh’s spirit will take you to goodness knows where. Meanwhile I’ll go and tell Ahav, and he’ll come here and not find you, so then he’ll kill me, even though I’ve been trying to obey Yahweh since I was young.

OET-LV KI1 18:3

3 And_ ʼAḩʼāⱱ _he/it_called (to) ˊOⱱadyāh who was_over the_household and_ˊOⱱadyāh he_was fearing DOM YHWH exceedingly.

OET-LV KI1 18:4

4 And_he/it_was when_ ʼĪzeⱱel/(Jezebel) _cut_off DOM the_prophets_of YHWH and_ ˊOⱱadyāh _he/it_took one_hundred prophets and_he_hid_them fifty man in_cave and_he_supplied_them food and_water.

OET-LV KI1 18:12

12 And_it_was I I_will_go from_with_you and_spirit of_YHWH it_will_carry_you_away to where not I_know and_I_will_go to_announce to_ʼAḩʼāⱱ and_not he_will_find_you and_he_will_kill_me and_servant_of_your is_fearing DOM YHWH since_youth(s)_of_my.
Show passage in OET: SA2 23:3

OET-RV SA2 23:3

3 Yisrael’s god spoke to me.
 ⇔ ≈ The rock of Yisrael told me.
 ⇔ The one who rules people with justice,
 ⇔ → rules out of his respect for God.

OET-LV SA2 23:3

3 The_god_of Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) he_said to_me the_rock_of Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) he_spoke one_who_rules over_humankind righteous one_who_rules the_fear_of god.
Show passage in OET: CH2 19:7

OET-RV CH2 19:7

7 So revere Yahweh and judge cases carefully, because our god Yahweh doesn’t tolerate injustice, partiality, or bribery.”

OET-LV CH2 19:7

7 And_now let_it_be the_dread_of YHWH on_you(pl) take_care and_act if/because there_is_not with YHWH god_of_our injustice and_lifting_up_of face and_taking_of a_bribe.
Show passage in OET: PRO 10:27

OET-RV PRO 10:27

27 Striving to obey Yahweh prolongs your life,
 ⇔ ^ but the years of wicked people will be short.

OET-LV PRO 10:27

27 The_fear_of YHWH it_adds days and_the_years_of wicked_people they_will_be_short.
Show passage in OET: PRO 14:27

OET-RV PRO 14:27

27 Respecting and obeying Yahweh is a fountain of life,
 ⇔ → to turn people from deadly traps.

OET-LV PRO 14:27

27 The_fear_of YHWH is_a_fountain_of life to_turn_aside from_the_snares_of death.
Show passage in OET: PRO 19:23

OET-RV PRO 19:23

23 Respecting and honouring Yahweh leads to life,
 ⇔ → and that person will have peaceful nights without trouble arriving.

OET-LV PRO 19:23

23 The_fear_of YHWH is_to_life and_satisfied he_will_pass_the_night not he_will_be_visited trouble.
Show passage in OET: KI2 4:1

OET-RV KI2 4:1

4 One day a woman who was a wife of one of the prophets-in-training, called out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, died, and you yourself know that your servant served Yahweh. Now the moneylender has come to take two of my children in payment to become his slaves.”

OET-LV KI2 4:1

4 And_a_woman one of_the_wives_of of_the_sons_of of_the_prophets she_cried_out to ʼElīshāˊ to_say servant_of_your husband_of_my he_is_dead and_you(ms) you_know if/because_that servant_of_your he_was fearing DOM YHWH and_the_creditor is_about_to_come to_take/accept/receive DOM the_two_of children_of_my to_him/it to_slaves.
Show passage in OET: PRO 14:26

OET-RV PRO 14:26

26 Respecting and obeying Yahweh leads to confidence of strength,
 ⇔ and that will be a safe place for their children.

OET-LV PRO 14:26

26 Is_in_the_fear_of YHWH confidence_of strength and_to_children_of_his a_refuge it_will_belong.
Show passage in OET: WIS 10:13

OET-RV WIS 10:13

 ⇔  13 When a righteous man was sold, wisdom didn’t forsake him,
 ⇔ but she delivered him from sin.
 ⇔ She went down with him into a dungeon,

OET-LV WIS 10:13

13 this/he/she/it ⟦πραθέντα⟧ just no to_leave_behind, but out_from sin to_deliver he/she/it/self;

Jump to OET CH1 16:25 section.

Jump to OET PSA 22:23 section.

Jump to OET KI1 18:3–4 section. · OET KI1 18:12 section.

Jump to OET SA2 23:3 section.

Jump to OET CH2 19:7 section.

Jump to OET PRO 10:27 section.

Jump to OET PRO 14:27 section.

Jump to OET PRO 19:23 section.

Jump to OET KI2 4:1 section.

Jump to OET PRO 14:26 section.

Jump to OET WIS 10:13 section.

In the NT fear of God is frequently used in conjunction with admonitions to love and serve the Lord (Col 3:22; 1 Pt 2:17). In the Magnificat, Mary’s statement “His mercy is on those who fear him” is used in the sense of revere and obey (Lk 1:50). In Acts, the term “God-fearer” is given a specific interpretation, being used with reference to Gentiles who attended the synagogue. Paul mentions them separately when introducing his address: “Men of Israel, and you that fear God” (Acts 13:16, rsv). Cornelius was an honest, generous, and God-fearing Roman centurion who, although not a Jew, was recognized as leading a life acceptable to the Lord (10:2, 35 OET ACT 10:2 · OET ACT 10:35).

Show passage in OET: COL 3:22

OET-RV COL 3:22

22 You slaves should submit to your human masters in everything, not just when they’re watching like others do, but sincerely, and so honouring the master.

OET-LV COL 3:22

22 The Slaves, be_submitting to_your masters in all things according_to flesh, not with eyeservice as men_pleasing, but in sincerity of_heart, revering the master.
Show passage in OET: PE1 2:17

OET-RV PE1 2:17

17 Honour others and be loving towards your fellow believers. Revere God as well as honouring the king.

OET-LV PE1 2:17

17 Honor all, be_loving the brotherhood, be_revering the god, be_honouring the king.
Show passage in OET: LUK 1:50

OET-RV LUK 1:50

50 He shows his mercy to multiple generations;
 ⇔ to those who honour him.

OET-LV LUK 1:50

50 And the mercy of_him is to generations and generations, to_the ones revering him.
Show passage in OET: ACT 13:16

OET-RV ACT 13:16

16 So Paulos stood up and, motioning with his hand, started speaking, “Fellow Israelis and everyone who reveres God, listen to me.

OET-LV ACT 13:16

16 And Paulos having_stood_up, and having_gestured with_his hand said:
Men, ones_from_Israaʸl/(Yisrāʼēl), and you_all revering the god, hear me.
Show passage in OET: ACT 10:2; ACT 10:35

OET-RV ACT 10:2

2 who, along with all his household, worshipped God and obeyed his laws. He gave to the poor and regularly asked God for help.

OET-RV ACT 10:35

35 but he accepts people from any nation as long as they honour and obey him.

OET-LV ACT 10:2

2 devout and revering the god with all the household of_him, doing many alms to_the people, and beseeching of_ the _god through everything.

OET-LV ACT 10:35

35 but in every nation, the one revering him and working righteousness, is acceptable to_him.

Jump to OET COL 3:22 section.

Jump to OET PE1 2:17 section.

Jump to OET LUK 1:50 section.

Jump to OET ACT 13:16 section.

Jump to OET ACT 10:2 section. · OET ACT 10:35 section.

The fear of God was also used in both the OT and the NT to denote dread or terror of the mighty power and judgment of the Lord (Gn 3:10; Dt 9:19; Jb 6:4; 9:28-29; Ps 76:8; Mt 17:7; 28:10; Lk 5:10; 12:5; Acts 5:5, 11 OET ACT 5:5 · OET ACT 5:11; 1 Tm 5:20).

Show passage in OET: GEN 3:10

OET-RV GEN 3:10

10 “I heard you walking in the garden,” he replied, “but I was scared because I was naked, so I hid myself.”

OET-LV GEN 3:10

10 And_he/it_said DOM your(ms)_sound/voice I_heard in_the_garden and_I_was_afraid if/because was_naked I and_I_hid_myself.
Show passage in OET: DEU 9:19

OET-RV DEU 9:19

19 Yes, I was afraid that in his terrible anger, Yahweh might destroy you, but he listened to me at that time.

OET-LV DEU 9:19

19 If/because I_was_afraid from_face/in_front_of the_anger and_the_rage which YHWH he_was_angry towards_you(pl) to_destroy you(pl) and_ YHWH _he/it_listened to_me also at_time the_that.
Show passage in OET: JOB 6:4

OET-RV JOB 6:4

4 Because the arrows of God the provider are in me.
 ⇔ My spirit is drinking in their poison.
 ⇔ God’s terrors are set out against me.

OET-LV JOB 6:4

4 If/because the_arrows_of the_almighty with_me which poison_of_their my_breath/wind/spirit is_drinking the_terrors_of god they_are_arranged_against_me.
Show passage in OET: JOB 9:28–29

OET-RV JOB 9:28

28 I’d be afraid of all my sufferings.
 ⇔ I know that you wouldn’t consider me innocent.

OET-RV JOB 9:29

29 I’d be guilty,
 ⇔ so why would I work hard for such vanity?

OET-LV JOB 9:28

28 I_am_afraid_of all_of pains_of_my I_know if/because_that not you_will_acquit_me.

OET-LV JOB 9:29

29 I I_will_be_guilty to/for_what this vanity will_I_labour.
Show passage in OET: PSA 76:8

OET-RV PSA 76:8

8 You made your judgement heard from heaven.
 ⇔ The earth was afraid and silent

OET-LV PSA 76:9

9  From_heaven you_proclaimed judgement the_earth it_was_afraid and_it_was_quiet.
Show passage in OET: MAT 17:7

OET-RV MAT 17:7

7 But Yeshua went across to them, and touching them, he said, “Get up now and don’t be afraid,”

OET-LV MAT 17:7

7 And the Yaʸsous approached and having_touched against_them he_said:
Be_raised and be_ not _fearing.
Show passage in OET: MAT 28:10

OET-RV MAT 28:10

10 Then Yeshua spoke again, “Don’t be scared. Go now and tell my brothers so they’ll go up to Galil and then they’ll see me there.”

OET-LV MAT 28:10

10 Then the Yaʸsous is_saying to_them:
Be_ not _fearing.
Be_going, report to_the brothers of_me that they_may_go_away into the Galilaia, and they_will_be_seeing me there.
Show passage in OET: LUK 5:10

OET-RV LUK 5:10

10 including Ya’akov (James; Grk. Yakobos) and Yohan (John; Grk. Yoannes) (Zavday’s (Grk. Zebedaios’) sons) who were his fishing partners. Then Yeshua told Shim’on, “Don’t be afraid—from now on you’ll be catching people.”

OET-LV LUK 5:10

10 and also Yakōbos/(Yaˊₐqoⱱ) and Yōannaʸs, sons of_Zebedaios, who likewise were partners the with_Simōn.
And the Yaʸsous said to the Simōn:
Be_ not _fearing, from the time now you_will_be catching people.
Show passage in OET: LUK 12:5

OET-RV LUK 12:5

5 But I’ll tell you who you should be afraid of: Be afraid of the one who has the authority to throw you into hell after you’re dead—yes, that’s who you should be afraid of.

OET-LV LUK 12:5

5 But I_will_be_showing to_you_all whom you_may_be_afraid:
be_afraid of_the one after the time to_kill_off, having authority to_throw_in him into the geenna, yes, I_am_saying to_you_all, be_fearing this one.
Show passage in OET: ACT 5:5; ACT 5:11

OET-RV ACT 5:5

5 When Hananyah heard that, he fell down and stopped breathing. Everyone who heard about it felt very afraid,

OET-RV ACT 5:11

11 So the entire assembly of believers became very afraid, along with everyone else who heard about these events.

OET-LV ACT 5:5

5 And the Ananias hearing the these messages, having_fallen he_stopped_breathing.
And great fear became on all the ones hearing.

OET-LV ACT 5:11

11 And great reverence became on all the assembly, and on all the ones hearing these things.
Show passage in OET: TI1 5:20

OET-RV TI1 5:20

20 but the ones that are sinning need to be scolded publicly so that others will be reluctant to do the same.

OET-LV TI1 5:20

20 Be_rebuking before all the ones sinning, in_order_that also the rest may_be_having fear.

Jump to OET GEN 3:10 section.

Jump to OET DEU 9:19 section.

Jump to OET JOB 6:4 section.

Jump to OET JOB 9:28–29 section.

Jump to OET PSA 76:8 section.

Jump to OET MAT 17:7 section.

Jump to OET MAT 28:10 section.

Jump to OET LUK 5:10 section.

Jump to OET LUK 12:5 section.

Jump to OET ACT 5:5 section. · OET ACT 5:11 section.

Jump to OET TI1 5:20 section.

See also Fear; Proselyte.